Your S&W .45 Opinions...

[cornfed83]

I'm looking for a .45 revolver preferably a 625-3 or -4 Model of 1989. But I'm not 100% sure that it is what I want. I've also been considering a 25-2. It would primarily be a range gun with the possibility of a 625 being a nightstand gun as well.

SOO..... Who wants to share opinions and pics???

 

[cornfed83]

P.S. I'm also open to the idea of .45 Colt with alternate cylinders to use the .45 ACP.

 

[sjmjax]

My first two .45 ACP revolvers were a pre-model 1955 and a later 25-2.

I spent an enormous amount of time and effort trying to get either to shoot straight with lead bullets. Didn't matter cast or swaged, .451, .452, .454, .455, any powder, any reasonable pressure level. Nothing but leading and horrible groups.

However, with jacketed 230 grain bullets, they both became tack drivers.

Don't know why after the 1955 & 25-2 experience, but I bought a 625-3 with the 5 inch barrel. Didn't matter what I fed it. Lead, jacketed, plated, 185, 200, 230 grain, mild or wild, gun shot everything beautifully and always impressed with remarkable groups.

Bought 4 inch - then a 3 inch. Same boring perfection.

I have become convinced that the 625-3 will shoot anything well.

I may later try loading the cartridges with small rocks, cherry pits and chicken bones and am confident I'll to be impressed.

I'm not fond of the underlug barrels but these 625-3 guns will never be sold by me. You'll have to wait for the estate sale. They are that good in my opinion.

 

[MTKTM]

My son owns a 5" Model of 1989, I bought it for him in that year when he was a youngun. Very nice gun. I have the 625PC, new gun, got it two years ago. They make fine range and nightstand guns.

If the gun is going to be used for target shooting and plinking, in addition to home defense, I don't see much need for the 45Colt option. You can shoot heavier loads/bullets out of a Colt, but I don't know that gains you much for the purposes you describe.

 

[cornfed83]

sjmjax, thanks for the input, um... How's the health? jk

The .45 Colt idea was simply for if I can't find either a 25 or 625 to my liking but happen across one already chambered in the Colt. A bit of a compromise but I'm always looking for deals on Smiths and if one pops up that I can't turn down even if it isn't exactly what I want, well then I can't turn it down.

 

[BobR1]

I have a Power Custom Combat 3", 625-3. Great gun.

My brother has a JM625 in an early 5". Not sure of the Dash Number. If I remember correctly the serial Number is JM 80 some odd. It is also a great gun.

We bought them both new. No plans to ever sell either one.

I would not have any problem recommending a 45 Colt 25, or 625 either. Or for that matter a 45 Colt RedHawk. You can always have the cylinder cut for 45 acp moon clips. The 45 Colt has the advantage of taking full dose shotshells for snakes. The 45acp shot shells are not nearly as impressive.

Bob

 

[Dale53]

My two favorite handguns are my 625's: One is a 625-6 Model of 1989 with 5" barrel and the other is a 625-8 Jerry Miculek Special with 4" barrel. I have Simmons Red Dot sights on them both. They seem to shoot any reasonable load with great accuracy (well under 1" at 25 yards).

I can recommend them without reservation.

Dale53

 

[alde]

I kinda like the 625-3 myself.

 

[eTripper]

I've had experience with two different 625's. One was an 'older' 5" bbl. model with the 'hammer-mounted' firing-pin. Foolishly, I sold it to my son-in-law who kept bugging me for it. I liked the original so much so, that I bought a newer Model of 1989 (625-6) with a 5" bbl. Performance-wise, these guns are tack-drivers. I changed the 'front-sight' on my newer-gun from a 'patridge-type' to a factory ramp with a red insert. These guns are accurate with all 230-gr. rounds: UMC, Fiocchi, Sellier & Bellot, Speer, American Eagle, and Winchester. These are excellent 'field revolvers', or augmenting your 1911's. Here's a picture of mine:

[625 (top) compared to 610 (below)]

 

[NE450No2]

Many years ago I used a S&W 25-2, first in 6 1/2", and later in 6", as a work duty gun. I also shot the 6 1/2" in Bullseye Pistol Matches, and some IPSC Matches as well.

I keep a new S&W 325 Night Guard under my pillow EVERY NIGHT.

I believe IF, you do not need the power of a 44 Mag, and an N frame revolver will work for you, then a S&W in 45 ACP is the best choice.

In what ever barrel length you like...

 

[Jerry N.]

For a range gun I would go with a 625. For me, the stainless steal is just easier to clean and maintain. I'm sure you'd be happy with any .45 revolver from S&W but I'd recommend a 625.

 

[Black_Sheep]

This 625-2 may well be the best shooting revolver in my modest collection. Last time I had it to the range a stranger in the next lane asked me about it so I gave him a couple of loaded moon clips and let him try it out. He offered more than it is probably worth but it's the last gun I'll ever part with...

 

[ikor]

I have both a 4in. M625-3 and a LNIB 5in M625-2 (marked Model of 1988) and am in the process of making the M625-3 into a 'Mountain Gun' clone. Over the years I have owned a couple of other 625's as well as several M25-2's. I have never yet seen a M625 (in .45acp) that would not shoot well, but have seen several M25-2's that downright sucked with almost all loads. I also have an early M25-5 4in that shoots very well with jacketed 225-260gr bullets and love it, but IMO unless you are really 'into' the .45 Colt cartridge, or maybe want one for a backup when hunting, etc. the .45acp guns are more likely to be the ones actually used for a range gun...and they still make an excellent nightstand gun too.

 

[Old Fashioned Six Shooter]

I have a 5" 625 Model of 1989, a 4" 625 Mountain Gun, and a 2.75" 325 NightGuard. Love them all...even more so since I discovered the combination of .45 Auto Rim carried in Tuff Products Quickstrips. I can tote spare ammo around much easier this way than I can carry full moon clips. I have also recently discovered the Buffalo Bore +P loadings for these guns. I have some .45 Auto Rim +P 255 grain hard cast at 1000 fps that will stop anything that might be lurking in the woods in my region. I shot some of this through the 325 the other day and the web of my hand said, "Ouch!" The 5" is nice for the range, but for nightstand use or even more so for carry, I would opt for something 4" or less.

 

[cmort666]

6" 25-2; there's nothing better. Mine is a tack driver with 200gr. hard cast 200gr. LSWCs or 230gr. ball.

I shoot it in our club's D/A revolver league. I shoot it better than my Model 14.